The merger of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset's police forces will go out to public consultation this summer.

Residents of the three counties will be asked whether they support a change to create one force that would stretch from Bournemouth to the Isles of Scilly.

Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez told a meeting of the police and crime panel on Friday morning that she will only support the merger if the public are behind it and there is a clear business case to make the change.

And she added that no decision has yet been made as to whether Devon and Cornwall and Dorset’s police forces will merge.

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The police and crime panel were also told that there would need to be sufficient support from local MPs, local authorities, staff and unions, as well as policing bodies and the panel itself, if the proposed merger was to go ahead.

There is already an alliance between the two constabularies sees joint work across 19 functions and has resulted in more money for frontline policing.

Ms Hernandez said: “There is a shared view from the chief constables that a merger of the two forces offers the best long-term solution for all parties.

“However, in considering the future it is important that we understand the community impact of any decisions in this area. I will not support a merger unless it is in the best interests of the people of Devon and Cornwall.”

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Fran Hughes, chief executive for the office of the PCC, told the panel that a full business case would have to answer the questions of does the merger proposal have a clear economic basis, will the merger improve the efficiency of the police, will the merger improve the effectiveness of policing in the area, will the merger have an impact on public safety and does the proposal have sufficient local support?

Police are urging members of the public to report anti-social behaviour (Image: Tom Last)

The precept levied on households to pay for policing is currently £18 lower in Devon and Cornwall than in Dorset, and a formal coming together would change this over time, and was one concern that members of the police and crime panel has in respect of the proposals, with Cllr Philip Hackett saying: “We won’t be paying less but we might be paying more for what we have already.”

They were also concerned over the timescale to scrutinise the merger as any full business case will need to be submitted to the Home Office by October 12, 2018, for consideration and order must be paid by Parliament by November 7, 2019, in order for it to be completed in time for the 2020 elections.

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An emergency meeting of the panel was arranged to take place prior to their next scheduled meeting on September 14 when they would be making their recommendation as to whether to support the merger or not, after Cllr Gareth Derrick said that would have been their first and last chance to discuss the merger.

Ms Hernandez urged members of the public to carefully consider the implications of a merger and take part in a major engagement exercise that will open this month and run across the summer.

Questionnaires will be available online and at dozens of events such as district shows as the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner seeks to garner public opinion on the changes. OPCC staff will be available to answer questions and to help people understand and have their say on the proposals.